NIRSA actively supports scholarship that advances knowledge and practices in the field of collegiate recreation.
The NIRSA Research Agenda guides the Association’s support by identifying critical areas within the profession for investigation. The Research Agenda aligns with the Association’s Strategic Values and Core Competencies and reflects an intention to spur research that reinforces the importance of our values and the competencies of the profession.
Our Research Priorities
The NIRSA Research and Assessment Committee has identified the following areas as critical research priorities. The context of priority studies is intended to focus on the framework of collegiate recreation. Research related to the field but outside of the areas listed below is also encouraged and supported.
New from SAGE Publishing
Browse through Recreational Sports Journal articles at SAGE Publishing about the topic areas below.
Topic Areas
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Identify factors, characteristics, or practices that are barriers to participation, promote inclusion, and increase recreation participation among students.
- Facility and program inclusive practices
- Advocacy within collegiate rec
- Demographic differentiation
- Policy formation
- Barriers and facilitators to participation
Related Strategic Values & Core Competencies:
- Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
- Personal & Professional Qualities
Financial Sustainability
Systematic analysis or description of revenue sources including referenda, user fees, investing, and fundraising.
- Budgeting practices
- Advocacy for value
- Sponsorships and marketing
- Capital financing
- Revenue generation
Related Strategic Values & Core Competencies:
- Sustainable Communities
- Facility Management, Planning & Design
- Business Management
Health and Wellbeing
Assess the impact of activity, educational programming, and/or facilities on health and wellness behavior or indicators in students, faculty, or staff.
- Holistic health
- Developmental impact
- Wellness in collegiate rec
- Links to other behaviors
- Injuries and illness
Related Strategic Values & Core Competencies:
- Health & Wellbeing
- Programming
- Research & Evaluation
Human Resources and Professional Development
Identify factors, characteristics, or practices that are barriers to participation, promote inclusion, and increase recreation participation among students.
- Facility and program inclusive practices
- Advocacy within collegiate rec
- Demographic differentiation
- Policy formation
- Barriers and facilitators to participation
Related Strategic Values & Core Competencies:
- Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
- Personal & Professional Qualities
Legal Liability and Risk Management
Study legal liability and risk management practices, policies, and cases to assess effectiveness in controlling programmatic, financial, and human resources risks.
- ADA compliance
- Title IX and collegiate rec
- Mitigation of risk
- Contractual engagement
- Youth engagement
Related Strategic Values & Core Competencies:
- Sustainable Communities
- Legal Liabilities & Risk Management
- Facility Management, Planning & Design
- Human Resources Management
Participant Adherence, Recruitment, and Retention
Assess the effectiveness of participation, volunteering, and employment on achievement of student learning outcomes or on the value of recreation at the collegiate level.
- Recruitment of participants
- Longitudinal engagement
- Facility and Program design
- Special programming
- Academic performance
Related Strategic Values & Core Competencies:
- Health & Wellbeing
- Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
- Programming
- Research & Evaluation
Participant Motivation
Investigate the psychosocial aspects of participation in recreation programs and facilities including the benefits of participation and the factors influencing engagement and participation.
- Benefits of participation
- Intrinsic and extrinsic factors
- Motivation across program areas
- Program design and goal achievement
- Facility design and participation
Related Strategic Values & Core Competencies:
- Global Perspective
- Health & Wellbeing
- Calendar
- org chart
Program Assessment and Student Learning Outcomes
Assess the effectiveness of participation, volunteering, and employment on achievement of student learning outcomes or on the value of recreation at the collegiate level.
- Impact of programming on student learning
- CAS standards
- Assessment methods
- Co-curricular collaboration
- Non-traditional students
Related Strategic Values & Core Competencies:
- Leadership
- Programming
- Research & Evaluation
Technology
Analyze the relationship of technology in the execution, value, and growth of collegiate recreation facilities and programming.
- Engagement of participants
- Facilities and equipment
- Participant tracking
- Social and new media
- Technology and programming
Related Strategic Values & Core Competencies:
- Sustainable Communities
- Programming
- Research & Evaluation
Our Guiding Principles in Research
- Follow accepted standards in human participant research and campus established Institutional Review Board practices
- Abide by the highest ethical standards
- Practice efficient and effective stewardship of resources
- Disseminate research in a timely manner